Papua New Guinea
In early 2026, Papua New Guinea (PNG) is grappling with a volatile human rights landscape, marked by a surge in inter-ethnic violence and persistent systemic issues. While the country celebrated its 50th year of independence in 2025, the milestone was overshadowed by a "sea of crises," including deadly riots and a worsening security environment in the Highlands.
The following are the primary human rights issues currently facing Papua New Guinea:
1. Escalating Tribal and Inter-ethnic Violence
Tribal warfare in the Highlands region (particularly Enga and Hela provinces) has reached unprecedented levels of lethality due to the use of modern high-powered firearms.
Massacres: In 2024 and 2025, several tribal clashes resulted in the deaths of dozens of people at a time, including a massacre of over 70 people in February 2024.
Displacement: The violence has created a growing population of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), with over 25,000 people displaced in Enga province alone. These individuals often lack access to clean water, food, and basic healthcare.
State of Emergency: Multiple provinces have cycled through States of Emergency (SOE), giving security forces broad powers that have led to allegations of excessive force.
2. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sorcery Accusations
PNG continues to be one of the most dangerous places in the world for women and girls, with a deep-seated culture of impunity for perpetrators.
Epidemic of Violence: It is estimated that two-thirds of women in PNG have experienced domestic abuse. In some Highland areas, this figure is reported to be as high as 100%.
Sorcery-Accusation Related Violence (SARV): Women are frequently targeted, tortured, and killed after being accused of practicing "sorcery" (sanguma), often following the unexplained death of a community member.
Lack of Services: Survivors face a severe shortage of safe houses, legal aid, and specialized medical care, particularly in rural provinces.
3. Police Misconduct and Brutality
The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) faces a crisis of public trust due to systemic corruption and "heavy-handed" tactics.
January 2024 Riots: Following a police strike over pay cuts, widespread looting and riots led to 25 deaths. Authorities have been criticized for failing to adequately investigate the role of security forces in the unrest.
Extrajudicial Acts: Credible reports of arbitrary killings, torture, and sexual abuse by police officers remain common.
Impunity: While an Internal Affairs Directorate exists, successful prosecutions of police officers for human rights violations are rare.
4. Restrictions on Press and Civic Space
Recent legislative attempts have threatened the independence of the media and the right to dissent.
National Media Policy: The government has repeatedly attempted to implement a "National Media Policy" (most recently updated in late 2024) which critics argue allows the state to regulate journalists and sanction critical reporting.
Cybercrime Laws: The Cybercrime Act 2016 is increasingly used to charge individuals with "defamation," carrying heavy fines and prison sentences that chill digital expression.
Protest Suppression: Authorities frequently restrict the right to peaceful assembly, using the "unlawful assembly" charge to arrest activists.
5. Indigenous Rights and Resource Extraction
The rights of Indigenous communities often clash with the country's reliance on mining, logging, and gas extraction.
Land Disputes: Approximately 97% of land in PNG is held under customary tenure. However, "Special Agricultural Business Leases" (SABLs) have historically been misused to bypass Indigenous consent for large-scale logging and mining.
Environmental Degradation: Projects like the Porgera Gold Mine and various illegal logging operations have caused significant environmental damage, impacting the food security and health of local tribes.
6. The Long-Term Refugee Crisis
While the infamous Manus Island detention center was officially closed, the legacy of Australia's offshore processing policy persists.
Abandoned Transferees: Dozens of refugees and asylum seekers remain in PNG with no clear pathway to permanent resettlement. Many suffer from severe mental health issues and live in constant fear for their safety due to local hostility and a lack of official legal status.
West Papuan Refugees: Thousands of refugees from neighboring Indonesian West Papua live in PNG with limited access to citizenship, healthcare, and formal employment.